Velotric Discover 1 Plus

The Discovery 1 Plus is Velotric’s update to its older Discover 1. This version gains new features, such as the option to unlock a higher top speed of 28mph.

In this review, we examine the specs, see how they differ from the original version, take some test rides, discuss key performance stats, and outline the bike’s pros and cons.

To conclude, we’ll provide our overall impressions and final assessment of the Velotric Discover 1 Plus and its value. 

Who Are Velotric?

Velotric is one of the bigger names that has emerged in the e-bike space in recent years. We’ve tested the Nomad 1 and reviewed the other models.

Our impression of Velotric is that it consistently produces e-bikes to an above-average standard, but does the Discover 1 Plus maintain this trend? 

What Is the Velotric Discover 1 Plus?

The Discover 1 Plus is a step-through urban commuter or recreation bike with 2.5″ tires on 26″ wheels. When unlocked, the 500W hub motor propels the bike to up to 28mph with pedal assist. 

Upgrades to this version include an adjustable stem, an updated 60-lux headlight, and a higher pedal assist top speed.

The Discover 1 Plus is a good-looking bike with a general feeling of quality, thanks to the sturdy frame, solid components, and nice finish. The frame is only available as a step-through.

The Discover 1 Plus is one of the better bikes I’ve tested at this price point. The quality and finish are similar to Aventon’s bikes or the higher-priced options from Himiway and Ride1UP.

This sense of quality is backed up by UL 2271 and UL 2849 safety certifications and IPX6 water ingress protection,  which means it’s protected against high-pressure streams of water from any angle.

Disappointingly, the updated Discover 1 isn’t compatible with Velotric’s app, unlike the Discover 2. The Discover 2 also comes with a rear rack, a torque sensor, and a more powerful motor, and it’s available in two frame sizes. 

Pros

Handling

A standout characteristic of the Discover 1 Plus is how robust the frame feels despite being a step-through. I’ve tested plenty of step-through e-bikes that suffer from a worrying shimmy. 

While riding, the bike feels well-balanced. Carving turns is a pleasant experience, and the steering is good overall. The tires likely contribute to this, but it also feels like Velotric nailed the geometry, combining a comfortable upright riding position with agile and confidence-inspiring handling.

Drivetrain

Our Discover 1 Plus has an 11-28t cassette paired with a 46t chainring for a good spread of gearing across all seven speeds. This gearing and the well-tuned pedal assist means there’s no ghost pedaling.

The Shimano Altus SL-M315 trigger shifter is a significant upgrade over the TX50 found on the old Discover 1. It’s pleasant to use, with a nice trigger feel and crisp shifting. 

Overall, it was refreshing to ride an inexpensive bike with good shifting and no drivetrain issues. 

Strangely, Velotric’s published specs show a 14-28t cassette. Below, we discuss how this would affect the ride.

Range

The Discover 1 Plus’s range is impressive. At max pedal assist, it lasted 33.9 miles with 1,375 feet of elevation gain at a high average speed of 17.9mph, outperforming the other 500W 14Ah e-bikes we’ve tested. The closest is the Himiway Rambler, which covered 31.3 miles and 1,549 feet of elevation at 15mph. 

In general, well-tuned torque sensors do the best job of conserving battery power, but the Discover 1 Plus achieves greater range using a cadence sensor. Velotric’s motor-controller programming is probably to thank for this.

The ability to travel more than 30 miles at high speeds makes this bike particularly useful for longer commutes.

Cons

Slow Acceleration

The Discover 1 Plus accelerates very slowly. It takes at least five seconds for the bike to really get moving, resulting in a sluggish feeling when getting started from a standstill.

Though slow, the acceleration is smooth and linear, so there’s never a scary kick or sudden acceleration, making this bike a good option for those new to e-bikes. 

It takes five to ten seconds for the motor to reach its max output, which can be a hindrance when needing to cross a busy road, for example. The lack of initial kick also means pulling away from a stop is hard work, especially uphill.

Some e-bikes suffer from weak pedal assist but have strong throttle power to help when pulling away. In this case, initial acceleration is weak, whether pedaling or using the throttle. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a setting to change this.

Only One Size

The Velotric Discover 1 Plus only comes in one size. This is typical of entry-level electric bikes, especially the cheaper ones, but it’s still worth noting.

Velotric says the Discover 1 Plus fits riders from 5’1″ to 6’4″, but such wide height ranges are unrealistic. Given this bike’s quality, it would be nice to have a choice of at least two frame sizes, especially as the minimum seat height (31″) is a bit high for riders at the low end of the stated height range.

What Does It Do Best?

The Discover 1 Plus is aesthetically pleasing, comes in a choice of colors, and feels well-built, with substantial tubing, smooth welds, and a slick paint finish.

Velotric has a good reputation for quality, which, from our testing, this bike delivers on. The motor, drivetrain, and brakes work well, and Velotric has included fenders and lights with braking activation. UL certification, IPX6 weatherproofing, and true compliance with Class 2 and Class 3 laws add further value. 

The Discover 1 Plus has great range, a decent ride quality over bumpy terrain, and good braking performance. Apart from slow initial acceleration and perhaps rider fit, we didn’t identify any issues with this bike while testing.

The Discover 1 Plus’s price is in line with the market, but when on sale, it’s great value.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

Riders that want strong acceleration from a standstill should look elsewhere. This is a comfort-focused e-bike that lacks the thrill of outright speed.

Another slight drawback is that it doesn’t come with a cargo rack. Adding one is straightforward, but many competitors in this price range include rear racks.

Finally, riders at either end of the height range may want to consider the Discover 2, which comes in two sizes but is more expensive.

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 2 or 3
Warranty: 2-year limited
UL Certification UL 2849, UL 2271
IP Rating IPX6
Total Weight: Claimed: 60lb – Actual: 61.4lb
Motor Brand: Velotric
Motor Type: Rear hub
Motor Nominal Output: 500W
Max Torque: 65Nm
Battery: 48V 14.4Ah (691Wh)
Range Claimed: 65 miles
Range Tested (PAS 5): 33.92 mi – 1,375 ft. – 17.9mph avg.
Range Tested (PAS 3): 41.62 mi – 1,457 ft. – 14.7mph avg.
Top Speed: 28mph
Throttle: Thumb-style
Pedal Assist: 5 levels
Charger: 54.6V 3A
Charge Time: 5 hours
Display: 3.5″ backlit LCD
Frame: Aluminum
Fork: 100mm coil suspension
Brake Levers: Generic hydraulic, aluminum levers
Brake Calipers: Hydraulic 2-piston
Brake Rotors: 180mm
Chain: KMC 7-speed
Crankset: 170mm, aluminum, 46t
Derailleur: Shimano Tourney 7-speed
Shifter: RD-TY300 trigger shifter
Cassette: 7-speed – 11-28t
Rims: 26″ Double-wall aluminum
Tires: 26″ x 2.5″, puncture resistant
Fenders: Included, plastic
Lights: 60-lux headlight, taillight w/ brake indicator
Grips: Lock-on rubber, ergonomic
Saddle: Velotric urban comfort, 215mm wide
Pedals: Plastic platform
Handlebar: Aluminum alloy, Φ31.8mm, 660mm
Kickstand: Single-sided kickstand
Payload Capacity: 378.6lb

Frame and Geometry

As mentioned, the stated height range of 5’1″ to 6’4″ isn’t realistic, and the minimum seat height of 31″ could make mounting and dismounting this bike challenging for shorter riders.

The adjustable stem angle helps to achieve a better fit, but it would be better to have a choice of frame sizes.

At 61.4lb, the Discover 1 Plus isn’t unusually heavy for a model with this size battery at this price. Velotric says this bike can carry up to 440lb, which is above average and should be more than enough for most buyers, especially given the optional rear rack only supports 55lb.

Some buyers may prefer a step-over frame for the increased rigidity, but this step-through frame feels plenty robust. The aluminum alloy frame is nicely finished with quality paint and welds.

The Discover 1 Plus has a good range of attachment points, with bottle-cage bosses on the seat tube, and rack mounting points on the head tube and the rear of the frame.

The 100mm coil suspension fork is basic but handles most bumps on roads or light gravel and dirt paths. A quick-release front axle makes it easier to remove the front wheel for transport or puncture repairs.

The cables are nicely managed with internal routing from the downtube to the rest of the bike, keeping things tidy without the maintenance headaches of fully internal cable routing.

The battery fits into the down tube from the top, so it’s easier to remove compared to having it underneath, and both the key and charge port are easier to access. 

Measurements

Seat Tube: 16.73″ (425mm)
Reach: 14.48″ (368mm)
Stack: 26.96″ (685mm)
Stand Over Height: 15.43″ (392mm)
Virtual Top Tube Length: 22.83″ (580mm)
Saddle Height Min: 31.02″ (788mm)
Saddle Height Max: 38.93″ (989mm)
Wheelbase: 49.5″ (1257mm)
Recommended Rider Height: 5’1” – 6’4”

Display and Control

The Discovery 1 Plus has a large, bright 3.5″ display mounted centrally on the handlebars with a USB-A charge port underneath. The display’s angle is adjustable by loosening the two bolts that hold it in place.

The display shows trip odometer, average speed, maximum speed, time, kilocalories, current motor output in Watts, and current system voltage. The battery meter is the usual five-bar layout. 

Riders can quickly unlock the 28mph top speed via the display. The max speed can be set anywhere from 12 to 28mph, ideal for those lacking experience or confidence.

On the left bar, there’s a three-button control pad and the thumb throttle. The brake levers cut power to the motor and activate a brake light at the back. 

Velotric ensures this bike can be set up for Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 by allowing customization of the speed limit and by including an easy-to-remove throttle.

Motor

The hub motor has a nominal rating of 500W, a peak power of 950W, and 65Nm max torque. Combined with a cadence sensor and Velotric’s bespoke tuning, this system produces 0-20 acceleration times that are a bit slower than comparable bikes, but the bike performed well in hill-climb tests.

Unlocked, the bike’s speed limit rises to 28mph for both pedal assist and throttle, meaning it doesn’t fully comply with Class 3 e-bike rules, but removing the throttle addresses this. 

Velotric calls its motor control system “VeloDrive”. I was happy with how it sensed pedal cadence, deployed power, maintained speed, and conserved battery. However, it feels like the system has been tuned to avoid jerky initial takeoff, which results in notably sluggish acceleration when pulling away from a stop.

It takes up to 10 seconds for the motor to reach full power, and hitting top speed takes around 15 seconds, which isn’t ideal when trying to dart across a road or merge with traffic. On the other hand, less-confident riders or those who don’t like sharp acceleration will feel more comfortable.

Otherwise, cadence-sensor tuning was responsive and did a good job of matching motor power to pedal strokes. It was so smooth and natural that, at times, it felt more like a torque sensor.

Battery and Charger

The Discover 1 Plus has a 48V 14.4Ah battery for a total of 691Wh, which is a good match for a 500W motor. It comes with a typical 3A charger, which should give a full charge in around five hours. The battery and the electrical system are UL-certified.

In range testing, the Discover 1 Plus performed very well, beating competitors with a combination of reliable range and useful power.

The battery can be charged on or off the bike using the same charge port, and a rubber cover protects the port from the elements.

The process of removing the battery is standard for this type of bike.

Drivetrain

Like most other parts of the Discover 1 Plus, the drivetrain works well. This bike is enjoyable to pedal and shifts well.

Our test bike came with an 11-28t cassette. However, the user manual lists a 14-28t cassette. If true, this is a shame, as this bike’s small 11t rear cog provides a good pedal cadence at high speeds.

With this 11t cog, the cadence is getting too high at 28mph, but with a 14t cog, ghost pedaling would be a problem at higher speeds.

I found the crisp shifts of the Shimano Altus SL-M315 shifter a nice step up from the Shimano TX-series shifters commonly found on e-bikes at this price point.

Brakes

The Discover 1 Plus has hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and back. In testing, they performed well, bringing the bike to a safe stop as effectively as brakes on comparable bikes.

The brake levers have adjustable reach. Pulling them cuts power to the motor and activates the brake light at the back. Thankfully, these brakes proved nice and quiet, with no annoying squeal.

Wheels, Tires, Fenders 

The Discover 1 Plus has 2.5″ wide tires on 26″ wheels. This setup was a welcome relief from the monstrous fat-tire bikes I often test. It provides reasonable comfort, good rolling efficiency, and engaging handling. These tires are also much quieter than most fat tires.

The bike is relatively comfortable over broken pavement and the bumps, small rocks, and tree roots commonly encountered on light trails. The tires also handle the light gravel well. 

Compared to the unwieldy feel of fat bikes, the Discover 1 Plus is nimble, and carving turns is a lot of fun.

Accessories

The Discover 1 Plus has good accessories, with lights front and rear, full-coverage fenders, and a single-sided kickstand. The rear light is integrated into the fender and has a brake light. 

The only thing missing is a rack, but the frame has mounting points for a rear rack, a front rack, and a bottle cage.

Touchpoints

The locking grips work well. The rubber material and ergonomic shape were comfortable, and the grips felt sturdy and secure.

The comfort-focused saddle is wide and padded. I had no problems with pedaling or comfort on long rides.

The pedals are budget items, and the smaller pegs may lack grip when wet. 

Conclusion

Overall, the Discover 1 Plus is an impressive option for commuting and recreational rides, with good ride comfort and handling.

A well-tuned cadence sensor and efficient motor provide solid speed and great range. Acceleration is reasonable once the bike gets moving, and the Discover 1 Plus handles hills well, too.

The option to fine-tune initial acceleration would have been nice, and there’s that nagging question of which cassette the bike will arrive with. Finally, it’s a shame this bike comes in only one size.

Despite these drawbacks, the Discover 1 Plus is still a fine effort by Velotric. It’s a solid option for those wanting a comfortable and enjoyable step-through e-bike that performs well on urban rides and light trails and should be easy to live with.

Score Breakdown

• Build quality: 90
• Performance / Innovation: 80 
• Design: 90
• Ride quality: 95
• Price / Value: 90

Overall: 89

Overall, we happily recommend the Discover 1 Plus thanks to its appealing design, its peppy but controlled feel, and its commuter or cruiser-appropriate performance.

This bike is a smooth-riding, budget-friendly e-bike. I think if you’re looking for your first, or maybe your next step-through e-bike, this is a great model to go with.

The Discover 1 Plus offers some nice improvements… this bike has a lot of great features, and even more if you happen to live near a dealer.

This bike is a nice, gentle, upright-riding, comfortable cruiser. It’s not exhilarating power… We saw it gets us up to 28mph. It doesn’t crush it climbing hills…